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Microchipping Your Pet

December 15, 2014

Microchipping is one of the best things you can do for your beloved pet. If your furry friend ever gets lost or runs away, a microchip will greatly increase the chances of him coming home. Microchips have proven so helpful that some communities are even considering making them mandatory. In this article, your local vet Scottsdale answers some basic questions about microchipping.

Why Microchipping Is Important

Sadly, many pets run away or get lost each year. While we sincerely hope this never happens to any of our clients’ beloved pets, we do strongly advise microchipping as a precaution. Most, though not all, shelters scan animals for microchips when they are brought in, so it’s definitely well worth the small fee for the procedure. Remember, if your pet is lost, he could also lose his collar, so ID tags alone are not enough. If your beloved buddy is ever stolen, a microchip may be your only hope of getting him back.

How It Works

A microchip works in much the same way as a bar code would on a product you might buy at a retail or grocery store. The chip does not actively transmit information, but can be read by special scanners used at animal shelters.

When To Microchip Your Pet

Pets can be microchipped at any time, but many people find it easier to have their furry pals microchipped when they are spayed or neutered, or even during regular checkups.

The Procedure

A microchip is only about as large as a single grain of rice. Your vet will inject the microchip under the surface of your pet’s skin, between his shoulder blades, with a hypodermic needle. The procedure is quick and painless, and is very much like getting a shot. Complications are extremely rare, though not entirely unheard of.

Keeping Records

Getting the microchip implanted won’t do any good if you don’t submit the registration paperwork, so make sure to send all your information in. Store your pet’s records along with your other important papers. Whenever you move or change phone numbers, you’ll need to update your records.

After Microchipping

Even after your pet has been microchipped, there is still the chance that the chip could move or become unreadable. Have your vet scan the microchip during checkups to ensure it is still reading correctly.